OUR POSITIONS
We advocate on policy issues. Our testimony, actions, and campaigns are based on League of Women Voters principles and League positions formed through studies and member consensus at the local, state, and national levels. Statements of position are expressions of general agreement, affirming a basic philosophy in general terms.
Scroll down to see our positions on important topics.
Read our Issues for Action for full position statements and bill tracking (PDF)
Click here to view the LWVOR Action Team's Advocacy Priorities for 2022
Click on a subject to jump to the League's position.
Campaign Finance Reform
The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports laws limiting campaign contributions and expenditures, requiring disclosure, and regulating campaign advertisements.
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Campaign finance reform has been an issue at all levels of government elections for many years. LWVOR has supported contribution limits for local and state elections whenever there has been the opportunity.
Criminal Justice
We believe that a full range of correctional programs should exist for adult offenders and juvenile services should prioritize prevention.
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We support a full range of correctional programs for adult offenders with alternatives to incarceration, adequate facilities, comprehensive transitional programs and sentencing guidelines.
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Policies should promote the coordinated planning and implementation of juvenile services with priority on prevention, a variety of services, separation from incarcerated adults, diversion of status offenders, basic state standards, dependable funding and a uniform data system.
Gun Safety
We believe that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens.
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We support strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.
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Recent advocacy has focused on legislation such as the “Boyfriend Loophole” bill, HB 4145 (passed in 2018), which bars some people convicted of domestic abuse from possessing firearms.
Health Care
Every U.S. resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices.
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We support a comprehensive and integrated adult mental health delivery system in the least restrictive environment possible with a consistent and equitable civil commitment process.
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We support a coordinated plan for comprehensive youth mental health services for all levels of need under the direction of a single state service agency responsible for basic state standards with sufficient funds to implement state-mandated programs.
Immigration
Immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet economic, business and employment needs; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. The U.S. should also provide integration resources.
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We are committed to immigration reform through laws that provide efficient and expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States.
Natural Resources and Environment
Natural resource policy should promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of resources in the public interest.
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Our Natural Resource work focuses on the following categories: Air Quality, Coastal and Offshore Management, Energy, Forestry, Land Use, Seismic Risk, Water Policy, Water Resources of the Columbia River Basin and others.
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We advocate for consideration of “Climate Emergency Declarations” at the state, county, and local levels.
Redistricting
Redistricting methods should advance the purposes of representative democracy by affording citizens meaningful choices and by holding government accountable to the people.
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A redistricting plan should adhere to all legal requirements, such as districts must have equal population, be contiguous, fulfill provisions of the Voting Rights Act, and also promote competitiveness and partisan fairness.
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Redistricting plans should be developed independently of the Legislature.
Social Policy
We support efforts to secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all and promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans.
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Children at Risk: We support policies, programs and funding at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children. Governments, at all levels, have a responsibility to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive network of services to maximize children’s readiness to be successful in school while optimizing available resources.
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Education Post-Secondary: We support policies that promote a broad spectrum of higher education for professional, vocational and personal enrichment for all qualified and motivated individuals with specific policies related to the Oregon State System of Higher Education, Community College and Boards and Commissions.
Women's Rights
Equal rights should be granted to all people regardless of sex.
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We support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
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We support action to bring laws into compliance with the ERA by eliminating or amending those laws that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex; promoting laws that support the goals of the ERA; and strengthening the enforcement of such existing laws.